Principal's Newsletter 1.17.2025
Dear Sellwood Community,
Last night we hosted a lovely art & STEM show in our cafeteria. It was wonderful to see so many families appreciating our students' creative works on display. Thanks so much to our awesome art and STEM teachers for putting the collection together: Ms. Noel, Ms. Allie, Ms. White and Mr. Larson.
Please read on for more information about upcoming events. 6th grade families, please note the details of the Outdoor School parent information night we are hosting on Wednesday, February 12th.
Enjoy the weekend,
Sincerely,
Jeandre Carbone
Sellwood MS Principal
PTANEWS
BINGO
We’re excited to announce that the Sellwood PTA will be hosting a Bingo event on Friday, February 7th from 7-9 PM at Union Manor! Our goal is to raise $10,000, and thanks to a generous donor, every dollar you contribute will be MATCHED!
We need YOUR support to make this event a success! All proceeds will go toward beautifying the Sellwood grounds and purchasing much-needed recess equipment, such as sports and speaker equipment and more!
Here’s how you can help:
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Attend the event and enjoy a fun night! Buy Here
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Buy something at Bingo — every drink helps!
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Donate a prize to support our cause. Email Committee
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Volunteer your time to ensure everything runs smoothly. Sign Up Here
Together, we can make a big impact on our school community. We hope to see you there!
SEE’S CANDY - VALENTINE’S DAY FUNDRAISER
What a sweet way to support SMS! Last day to order is January 31st for delivery before Valentine’s Day. Buy HERE
CLOTHING CLOSET
Monday, January 27, is Sellwood’s day to send 5-6 volunteers to help at the PPS Clothing Closet from 9:30-1:30 pm. Each PPS school is responsible for sending volunteers twice during the school year to assist students in receiving clothing and shoes. The Closet is located at the Marshall campus, 3905 SE 91st. Please sign up on Konstella. Thank you for your support!
Join the PTA
Please join the PTA and contribute your voice to the conversation on making this a great school year for our kids and SMS community. Here is the link to join!
www.schoolpay.com/link/sellwoodpta
Join Konstella
The PTA uses the Konstella app to keep the parent community up to date with scheduled events, the school calendar, volunteer sign ups and PTA announcements. Here is the link to join!
PEAKAFTERSCHOOLPROGRAMS
PEAK coding and drama classes start next week—last chance to sign up! More info and registration at 6crickets.com.
Any questions? Email sellwoodpeakprogram@gmail.com
OUTDOORSCHOOLFOR6TH-GRADERSMARCH16thto21st
6th Grade Families
Sellwood 6th Graders will participate in the residential Outdoor School program this March 16th -21st.
Outdoor School has been serving schools in the Portland metro area for over 50 years. Your child’s class and advisory teacher will attend one of the Outdoor School sites. The Outdoor School Experience is an educational program where students attend school 24 hours a day in a beautiful outdoor setting. Outdoor School is an extension of the classroom, offering a hands-on, engaging approach to learning.
More information will be coming soon. Mark your calendars:
- Information night at Sellwood MS- Wednesday, February 12th 5:30-6:30
- Family Open House at the camps (virtual option too) Sunday, March 2nd from 4 to 6 pm
- Sellwood MS Outdoor School week is Sunday, March 16th - Friday, March 21st
CRAIGNAZERETIREMENT&WELCOMENEWTEACHERMS.ASAM
As you know, Mr. Naze is retiring in just a few days. His last day with students will be Friday, January 24th. Please help us congratulate Mr. Naze on his retirement and thank him for his many years of service.
I would like to introduce the science teacher who will be Mr. Naze’s replacement. Rasmiyeh (Mia) Asam will be starting on Wednesday, January 22nd, so that she can have a few days of overlap, observing Mr. Naze in order to ensure a smooth transition.
Ms. Asam is very passionate about science and the outdoors. She comes from a very diverse background. Originally from Texas, she earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science and biology and later went back to school to earn a masters degree in science curriculum. She has nine years experience in the realm of education, which includes three years as a middle school science teacher. Rasmiyeh also worked offshore as a marine scientist and can’t wait to share her love for animals and science. She has experience as a yoga instructor and enjoys introducing those techniques in the classroom.
She spends her time off hiking, biking, or finding a new adventure that involves being active. Rasmiyeh is excited to join the team at Sellwood Middle School.
Please extend a warm welcome to Ms. Asam!
CLEVELANDYOUTHTRACKSEEKINGADULTHELPERS
Cleveland Youth Track is seeking more adult helpers - paid and volunteer coach positions available! Cleveland's team hovers around 250 athletes each year. Because of this, we always need more hands on deck. Practices are Monday and Wednesday from 5-6:30 at the Cleveland track and meets are Thursdays from 5-7:30 at various locations around the city. You don't need to be a specialist - just someone who is willing to show up, support lead coaches, and help manage athlete behavior. If you do happen to have any previous knowledge of specific track and field events, areas of support that we are particularly looking to fill are: javelin, long jump, high jump, and discus. Becoming a coach in any capacity will require some hours of online training. If you are only able to come one of the two days, you would probably fit best in a volunteer rule. If you can come to both practices and most meets, a paid position is probably for you! Please contact Meghan Eigo at meigo@pps.net if you have any questions or are interested to any degree!
FOR8THGRADERS-CLEVELANDFORECASTING
Hello 8th-grade families!
High school is just around the corner and it is time to forecast for Cleveland HS classes next year. Ms. Katie pushed into science classes on Thursday and Friday this week to go over forecasting. Below are the links to the presentation, course planner (student got a yellow hard copy of this in class), the video walk through of how to use the course planner, the interactive course guide with class descriptions, the video through for how to submit course requests into StudentVue, and the step by step PDF guide for how to submit course requests into StudentVue. These links can also be found in science Canvas.
Please submit course requests through StudentVue by January 22nd. If you have questions tune in to a virtual info session with CHS Counselors Thursday, Jan.16 at 5-6pm LINK
- CHS forecasting presentation slides
- Course planner (students got a yellow hard copy of this in class)
- Video: How to use the course planner
- Interactive course guide for class descriptions
- Video: how to submit course requests in StudentVue
- PDF: Step by step walkthrough on how to submit course requests into StudentVue
CHS counselors will be at Sellwood to go through course requests with students 1:1 on Jan 22nd in social studies classes.
STANDARDSBASEDGRADING@ALLPPSMIDDLESCHOOLS
Dear PPS Middle Grades families,
PPS is moving to a new Standards-Based Grading System for all 28 middle schools. The purpose is to provide clearer and more meaningful feedback to students. Some of our middle schools are already using this approach, and research supports its benefits. Our K-5 schools have also made progress in this direction with their report cards.
We invite you to visit our middle grades Standards-Based Grading website at pps.net/sbg. There, you can find updates, resources, timelines, materials, and FAQs.
There will be three family and community engagement events in person and virtually at the Prophet Education Center (501 N. Dixon St.) in the PPS Boardroom. We invite all who have current middle grades students or students entering into the middle grades to these presentations where we will provide updates as well as listen to feedback and answer questions.
Family and Community engagement (Virtual and in person)
February 13, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
March 13, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
May 8, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
We believe grades are an important way to communicate with students and families. This new system will make it clearer what students need to do to meet academic expectations.
If you have any questions, please contact Richard Smith at rsmith5@pps.net. Check the website often for updates. We look forward to working with you during this exciting transition.
PPS:RESPONDINGTOIMMIGRATIONANDCUSTOMSENFORCEMENT(ICE)
Information and Family Supports
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This FAQ answers many questions about the steps Portland Public Schools will be taking to safeguard staff and students going forward.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center Little Red Card This card is meant to help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations. These can be printed out and carried on your person.
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Know Your Rights for Families/Students (Oregon ACLU)
SPEDRECRUITMENTDAY
The Recruitment Day will take place on on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at PPS Prophet Center (501 N Dixon Street, Portland, OR 97227) from 9am - 3pm. This event will be a great chance to directly speak with the SPED Department, School Administrators, and Human Resources about career opportunities. Scheduled and walk-in interviews will be available.
See the FLYER for more information.
COGNIZARTYOUNGARTISTSDEBUT
Until 1/21/2025, Cognizart is accepting applications from visual & performing artists ages 10 to 18 to participate in the 31st Young Artists Debut! The Young Artists Debut! offers fun and educational benefits, including the opportunity to showcase and refine creative talents, professional photos and videos of creative works, guidance from mentors, and scholarships or honoraria. Are there any artists you think would benefit from this program?
The full details on the program are on our website at: https://www.metroartsinc.org/young-artists-debut
MAINOFFICE
The best way to reach us is by email.
Willa Grund is our new school secretary. wgrund@pps.net
Claire Howard (choward1@pps.net) is our principal’s secretary.
Our Sellwood website (pps.net/sellwood) has many “Quick Links” to help you immediately.
The Office Phone Number
The office phone number is 503-916-5656.
When prompted
press 4 for Willa Grund (“Records/Registration”).
press 3 for Claire (Principal’s Secretary).
press 2 for any “Attendance” matter. It’s a designated line just for attendance.
press 5 for Records, Registration.
press 0 for the front counter – answered by students; not a confidential line.
Secured Building
Sellwood is a locked and secure building.
Please ring the doorbell to the right of the main doors to reach the office. We will guide you accordingly.
Picking up your student during the day:
While we understand it is sometimes necessary to pick up your child from school, please try to limit your student’s daytime appointments. If necessary, please ring the bell at the main door and expect to wait while your child is located.
Guides to Help you:
To correct your student’s attendance: Log into ParentVue.
For changes to your student's registration profile in Synergy: ParentVue/StudentVue
Quick Links found on Sellwood’s website (pps.net/sellwood)
Please email wgrund@pps.net for:
Passwords: If you have forgotten your password, have been locked out of your account, or do not have login credentials.
Registration, Enrollment.
ParentVue (if your account has been disabled).
Please email Claire (choward1@pps.net) for:
School Pay.
Bookkeeping/accounting issues.
Administrative Support: Messages or matters of support to the principal or assistant principal.IMPORTANTDATESTOREMEMBER
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
January 24: Last Day of Semester 1
January 27: Grading Day - No School for Students
January 28: Planning Day - No School for Students
January 29: First Day of Semester 2
February 4: 15 Minute Late Start - Staff Meeting Day
February 7: Annual PTA Bingo Night Fundraiser - 7-9 PM
February 12: Outdoor School 6th grade Parent Info Night - 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
February 17: Presidents Day - No School or Make-up Snow Day
February 26: Early Release 1:45 PM
March 11: 15 Minute Late Start - Staff Meeting Day
March 16-21: Outdoor School for All 6th-Graders
March 19: Early Release 1:45 PM
March 24-28: Spring Break
April 3: End of Quarter 3
April 4: Grading Day - No School for Students
April 7: Planning Day - No School for Students
April 8: First Day of Quarter 4
April 8: 15 Minute Late Start - Staff Meeting Day
April 17: PTA Meeting 7-8 PM
April 23: Early Release 1:45 PM
April 24: All 8th Grade Field Trip to Bonneville Dam
May 6: All 7th Grade Field Trip to the Holocausts Museum/History Museum
May 21: Early Release 1:45 PM
May 26: Memorial Day: No School
May 28: Spring Band & Choir Concert @ Cleveland HS 7-9 PM
June 3: 15 Minute Late Start - Staff Meeting Day
June 5: Sellwood Showcase Night - 5:30 to 7:30 PM
June 9: 8th Grade Oaks Park Field Trip
June 10: 6th/7th Grade Oaks Park Field Trip
June 10: 8th Grade Promotion - 10:30-11:30 AM
June 10: Last Day of School - Half-day - School Ends 12:30 PM